Agelena labyrithica

Appearance

Funnel-web spiders typically range in size from 8–12 millimetres for males and 10–14 mm for females. "Agelena labyrinthica", however, has a body length of up to 18 mm. The abdomen is dark with a pale central band flanked by white chevron marks. The cephalothorax is yellow-brown and bears two, broad longitudinal stripes positioned towards the front of the spider.

Common to all spiders in the family Agelenidae, is the prominent pair of two segmented posterior spinnerets. However, in "A. labyrinthica" these segmented spinnerets are further elongated, with the second segment being almost twice the length of the basal segment. Another morphological feature of "A. labyrinthica" is the spider's venom apparatus. Showing many similarities with the species "Loxosceles intermedia", the venom glands of "A. labyrinthica" generally consists of paired structures located in the spider's abdomen. These paired structures interact with two ducts that lead into the spider's fangs. The venom glands of "A. labyrinthica" are considered to be relatively large, and extend out of the chelicerae to reach the middle of the abdomen. The venom glands of "A. labyrinthica" also are unique in that they are long and tubular and are surrounded by a layer of muscles that encircle the glands.

Behavior

Typically in the middle of July, "A. labyrinthica" will begin its mating period. Using its pedipalps, the male will tap on the web of the female in order to advertise himself as a potential mate. If the female is ready, she will remain in her funnel, where they then mate. During about August of the same year, the female will create a large, white egg sac, containing roughly 50-130 eggs, within the central remaining chamber of her web, suspended by multiple radiating bands of silk. The outer wall of the retreat may be camouflaged with grass and leaves. Over the winter of the same year, the young spiders survive off of the egg yolk stored in their abdomens, and leave the next spring. "A. labyrinthica" is similar to other species of spider in the respect that they practice matriphagy. During the incubation phase, the female "A. labyrinthica" stays with developing egg sacs, yet if the female dies before the incubation phase is over, the corpse will be eaten by the young upon hatching.

Habitat

"Agelena labyrinthica" build flat plate surface webs connected to funnel-shaped retreats similar to labyrinths, which are typically constructed between low lying grass and vegetation. These webs can be at ground level, or up to 1.5 metres from the ground, however, the majority are found approximately 60 centimetres off of the ground. These spiders are fairly common in Europe and Central Europe, and are typically concentrated in areas near forests and low lying vegetation, as well as in dry grasslands.

Reproduction

Typically in the middle of July, "A. labyrinthica" will begin its mating period. Using its pedipalps, the male will tap on the web of the female in order to advertise himself as a potential mate. If the female is ready, she will remain in her funnel, where they then mate. During about August of the same year, the female will create a large, white egg sac, containing roughly 50-130 eggs, within the central remaining chamber of her web, suspended by multiple radiating bands of silk. The outer wall of the retreat may be camouflaged with grass and leaves. Over the winter of the same year, the young spiders survive off of the egg yolk stored in their abdomens, and leave the next spring. "A. labyrinthica" is similar to other species of spider in the respect that they practice matriphagy. During the incubation phase, the female "A. labyrinthica" stays with developing egg sacs, yet if the female dies before the incubation phase is over, the corpse will be eaten by the young upon hatching.